Thoughts on towing a 2018 Coachmen - Freedom Express trailer?

[Gren71]

My wife and I are looking at probably trading in our wolf pup 18TO black label for the camper in the link. Not that specific one about one that’s for sale near us. But I have a couple questions for you folks to pull a heavier travel trailer since my 18TO show is only about 4800 when we pull.

https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2018...ress-travel-trailer-floorplan-287bhds-tr35294

how different is it pulling a 30 foot travel trailer versus a 20 foot travel trailer?

Will about 2000 pounds more behind me bog me down a whole lot with the max tow?

The shop assures me they can help me set up my weight distribution hitch to level the truck out. But I sit perfectly level with it as it is at about 4800 pounds… So I’m concerned that adding the extra 1200 to 2000 will give me a nasty sag in the back. Does anyone have that problem with their heavier travel trailers?

Max tow package
2in spacers front and rear
285/75/17 geolander g015s
Airlift airbags in rear as well as sumo spring bump stops

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[Mac]

That is a big trailer for the JT, I would think if you were running stock tires and didn’t load the trailer with a lot of stuff it would be tolerable.

 

[Gren71]

That is a big trailer for the JT, I would think if you were running stock tires and didn’t load the trailer with a lot of stuff it would be tolerable.

285/75/17 yokohama geolander g015s and a 2in spacer lift. So not really stock atm

 

[j.o.y.ride]

too heavy

 

[jay21mojave]

Tow capability rating is 4000 with 6 spd, I believe 6000 with 8spd auto..

 

[sharpsicle]

So I’m concerned that adding the extra 1200 to 2000 will give me a nasty sag in the back.

This difference is going to probably be most critical. If you're adding 1200 your total is 6,000 which isn't bad and with a good setup will be fine. Adding 2000 means 6,800 which believe it or not you're going to really notice. If you're max tow (which I think I remember you are) you're technically good to go.

Either way, you'll notice it a lot more than you do with your current setup. The level of comfort would depend on which number you gave that's right.

 

[Gren71]

Tow capability rating is 4000 with 6 spd, I believe 6000 with 8spd auto..

Sorry, been day drinking and forgot to add i have max tow

 

[cfowler55]

To me that’s too much rv for your truck. I personally know several folks that bought trailers in that size range planning to tow with a 1/2T made by one of the big three. All traded up to at least a 3/4T. The weight is pushing it , the length is too much. Also note that the 6200 lbs is dry weight. No one tows an empty rv.
Charlie

 

[Choatecav]

Have to agree with the majority on this one. That is a bit much to bite off.

 

[Forum Crawler]

Nope. Pulling a 20 foot Wolf Pup with mine. Can’t even imagine pulling something heavier and 33 feet long…

 

[Gren71]

Honestly fellas these are exactly my reservations and why I wanted to throw it to the sounding board. Towing a TT is a new skill to me so there are limits im still feeling out.
Seems like the searxh continues for something a little larger, just not that large.

 

[COmtnbiker]

Can't comment on the length - but you generally want to pull no more than 90% of your rigs total capacity. (eg: Max tow 7,650 so 6,885 max weight -starting at 6185). You'd have to consider you'd probably need your fresh, black, grey thanks always empty - few tools to take along etc to add 700 lbs to top out.

 

[brianinca]

That mfg data card is BS - "hitch weight" is not, should say "hitch weight EMPTY". That huge slideout is heavy, that cuts into your trailer payload. The bigger issue that your 12% target hitch weight at max gross is 912 lbs!! The private main bedroom is nice but that's length and weight you probably can't afford. The significantly higher payload in the Max Tow is not significantly higher enough to handle that trailer in my view. If you have just family in the JT, nothing else, you are probably past the payload limit with a full trailer - and with less than 3/4 ton cargo capacity, you really don't have much space to work with.

Our 24' is nominally 4400 lbs empty but max gross is 7000 lbs. I have NO IDEA how you would add 5/4 tons of cargo, but whatever - the axles are rated to 3500 lb each, that's where the number comes from. With a full 40 gal tank of fresh water we're on the scale below 6000 lbs ready to rumble, and the JTR on 35's does fine. There is just the two of us, so it simplifies things, we wanted a travel trailer to entertain six people, have dinner with four people, and sleep two people.

 

[GotGladiator]

My 2020 EVO 22ft (I still have it, who wants to buy?) @ 4800# loaded is an easy tow for my G with max tow. When I picked up the 27ft Sonoma, 2 weeks ago no problem towing it @ 5350# empty.
Last weekend, towed it with ease. My junk plus two passengers is approx 1000#. That includes the heavy e2 WdH which weighs 75.4# and power tongue jack 30#! So I am at approx 6350#. I weighed most gears manually with a bathroom scale. Lots of work but got the job done with approximating my total haul.
My drive from the beach to the high desert, 10.6 mpg at 55-60mph.High desert is at 3235ft elevation. It's a long gradual climb of around 1600ft (45 mins)!

Yes, that one you like is on the heavy side. Too bad, I know you really wanted that. Hopefully you could find one soon.

Mine is still manageable weight-wise compared to that one coz I stll have room for a lil bit more gear, but
instead I should just shed more # here and there like just carry one full propane tank, half a tank of gas(lots of gas stations along the way), use fake wood(duraflame firelogs), leave the walmart canopy at home! The less I carry, the best.
Good luck finding your new rolling condo!

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